Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-15

The Health Association Strays Into
Discussion on CoIored
Children.
New York Tribune.l

The Ladies Health Protective Asso-
citation held largely-attended meeting
in the parlors of Mrs. Fay Pearce, No.
z east Thirty first, yesterday afternoon.
The special subjects for discussion were
the Cullen manure bill ut Albany, and
the present system of STRENGTHENING.
There was a unanimous feeling that the
manure bill was as dead as O gate-post,
and it was decided to drop all future
discussion of the topic as needless. AS
to the evils of the STRENGTHENING sys-
tenn all action was deferred to the next
meeting in order to see If Commissioner
Coleman is reaappointed.
A clipping from the Tribune of April
9TH, containing suggestion that the
city should furnish proper ash-cans at
the expense of the property-owners,
who should be compelled to use them,
was favorably discussed, and it was de-
termined to send the clipping to the
street-cleaning commissioner and also
to President Payles, of the Board of
Health, with request that the sugges-
ton be adopted.
When on April 9TH the association
sent to Mayor Hewitt memorial sug-
costing changes in the present method
of cleaning streets, copies OF the me-
mortal were forwarded to Commissioner
Coleman and to President Bayles. Let
tiers from these two officials were read
by Mrs. Pearce, who is chairman OF the
| Committee on Street Cleaning.
A discussion not down on the pro-
oramme followed hard upon the re-
port of Miss julia Thomas, the chair
man of the Committee on Physical
Culture. At the last meeting of the
association Miss Thomas was selected to
visit the public schools and investigate
the system of physical training used.
She is an enthusiast on the subject.
What she saw she was TO report upon
and a memorial WAS to be laid by the
association before the Board OF
Education embodying any reforms
needed. The system OF physical train.
ing used in the public schools for girls
excited strong opposition IN Miss
Thomas. So far from benefiting the
children, she said, it tended to contrac
their chests. TO emphasize her views
Miss Thomas brought before the asso
citation little tcn-year-old girl whC
attends the public school in Twenty
eighth street, and made her gothrougf
the motions used III the school. Tit
ladies watched little Katy, whose
mother is a cook in the family o
Miss Thomas, and the conclusion
reached was strong that the pres
ent system was wholly inefficient. Mis-
Thomas spoke strongly ON the subject
In detailing her experiences at the va
rious schools Miss Thomas said tina
she had encountered a strong feeling o
discomfort among teachers and pupil
in mixed public schools because of thu
presence OF colored children. Pupil
made trouble because they had to sii
in the classes with them, and teacher
taught them with repugnance. The
speakers remarks we're greeted witt
silence ut first. Then n member who
sat next to Mrs. Il. J. Sparks, the presi
dent, said with emphasis
81 declare that | am an Abolitionist
and my father was before nae, but
think the law that permits black ant
white children TO mingle together is al
outrage on the white children"
There was hum OF approval which
followed this outspokea confession o
opinion. 1t was quickly followed b,
other remarks of a similar nature.
Il think, said one member, "tha
the governing classes ought to rule
and the white people are the govern
ing classes"
Il am opposed to mixed schools OF
the ground of health, said another
true to her principles. . / think tbs
odor from colored children is no
healthy TO white children.
81 would fight, remarked fifth, I
member with curly brown hair and /
determined face, 81 would burn at thu
stake before / would send my children
. to mix with colored children"
" Is il a wonder that such associa
tions bring about marriage think i
dreadful for these colored children Il
mix with the whites,v remarked |,
sixth, who wore ablack ostrich feathe
in her hat.
81 don't believe in deteriorating ths
race, . said a member with dark hair
| who wore brown dress.
Ladies, ladies'" said Mrs. Sparks
gently, . Is not this subject foreign u
| the purpose Of the meeting ? j do no
think We ought TO discuss this mattel
any further.
/ The topic was dropped.